Hi there, I have a fairly new tank 4-6 months. Fish are doing fine and eating well. I’ve been testing my water and so far I can’t get a reading on nitrates (very close to zero). I’ve noticed some algae growing on the rocks but not a lot. What is the typical cycle for a new tank and algae growth? and should I make any adjustments since I can’t get a reading on nitrates, or just let the tank keep developing and see what happens? I have read that tanks should have some detectable nitrate levels but maybe my tank is too early in its development to worry about that. I have considered shutting off my skimmer at night to raise nitrates a bit? Any feedback would be appreciated.
New tank-no nitrates?
- Thread starter Gdel
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what test kit are you using and are you confident it's not expired? Are you using a protein skimmer or a refugium? Have you had a local fish store test and confirm your levels?
At 6 months I would expect 0 Ammonia, 0 nitrates and SOMETHING for nitrates - honestly I saw that within 10 days on my first tank.
At 6 months I would expect 0 Ammonia, 0 nitrates and SOMETHING for nitrates - honestly I saw that within 10 days on my first tank.
My DT is about the same age and had undetectable nitrates (API). I recently started dosing nitrates (stump remover).
I only started dosing because I recently lost 2 torches that had been in the system for about 4 months and couldn't figure out why.
Honestly, I can't tell if its doing anything or not and I'm guessing that my nitrates are now somewhere between 0-5 based on the color of the test.
I only started dosing because I recently lost 2 torches that had been in the system for about 4 months and couldn't figure out why.
Honestly, I can't tell if its doing anything or not and I'm guessing that my nitrates are now somewhere between 0-5 based on the color of the test.
Which brand of stump remover are you using?
spectracide
Amazon.com : Seachem Flourish Nitrogen 500ml : Aquarium Treatments : Pet Supplies
Amazon.com : Seachem Flourish Nitrogen 500ml : Aquarium Treatments : Pet Supplies
www.amazon.com
I believe I remember @ichthyoid recommends Calcium Nitrate.
I would trust any of the above over stump remover.
Hi, those are my readings... no ammonia or nitrites and I can't get any reading on Nitrates using an API kit. I will be purchasing another testing system but I haven't decided on a brand. Since my tank is fairly new I thought that simply doing water changes would suffice for now, which it has. I run an Octo-S 120 skimmer and it works very well. Again, I'm just wondering why I have some algae but no detectable nitrates... but I think you can have algae with very low nitrates.
One more follow up question, should I bother to start a refugium if my nitrates are around zero? My assumption is that the cheato would simply die off so there's no point. Maybe i need to bump up my bio load with a few more fish or feeding?
Phosphates?
What animals do you have in the tank? Any snails, crabs, shrimp?
Pic of the algae?
How do your corals look?
What do you feed and how often?
Basically - overload us with information about your tank - it's easier to point you in the appropriate direction.
I honestly have not checked phosphates but I do have three coral frags and all are thriving. Zoa, GSP, and then a soft coral (name escapes me now). The algae is really just a yellowish/green tinge on the rocks and not long at all. I have maybe 5-7 fish. One is a blenny and another is a small tang. Also have an emerald crab. All my fish are small. I have ten snails and some hermit crabs in the sump. I put the crabs in the sump because my hawk fish picks at them. He doesn't pester the emerald crab Anyway, I'll do a 15% water change this weekend and just ride it out for now.
I feed a measured amount of pellets twice per day. I do try and monitor to make sure all the food is eaten and not sinking to the bottom.
One other question I have is if coraline algae competes with green algae for nutrients? Would it help to introduce coraline with one of those bottle mixes?
Get coraline chips from someone here - for free
Get your Phosphates tested
I personally feed mostly frozen - anytime I feed primarily pellets for more than a couple days I end up seeing dinos &/or cyano start showing up
Get your Phosphates tested
I personally feed mostly frozen - anytime I feed primarily pellets for more than a couple days I end up seeing dinos &/or cyano start showing up
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I agree with this. I had tons of issues with no nitrates until I fed frozen. Now I'm golden. I would try this before I dosed nitrates if I were you.
